Here at PS Human Resources, we would like to ensure that all of our clients and colleagues have the most up to date information with regards to COVID-19. We are planning to have daily updates available, so please make sure you are checking our website www.pshumanresources.co.uk, our Facebook page, our Twitter and Instagram accounts and our PSHR page on LinkedIn.
This week has seen the beginning of daily government updates and the messages so far are as follows:
They are aiming to ‘turn the tide’ of the virus within a 12 week period, but the only way this can be done is to adhere to the ‘rules’ collectively as a country, which are:
- Continue with social distancing – stay away from pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants and avoid large gatherings at all costs
- Work from home – this is not able to be done in all industries, but should be done if you are able
- Protect the vulnerable – self-isolate as per the guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
- More testing to take place – NHS and Public Health England will be supporting with testing kits
As working from home is one of the main measures in order to delay the onset of COVID-19, it is important to look after your employee’s physical and mental health and wellbeing. We have developed resources which you may find useful, so please do call us to have them emailed to over. If there is anything specific we can create for you, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Here are some links to some great websites which will help your employees navigate through these unusual times:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-sick-pay
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
In addition, the Bank of England has cut interest rates to 0.1% and some businesses will have access to loans and grants to help then during the pandemic.
Schools will close today but people who are considered ‘key workers’ have provision for their children to be looked after in school so that they can continue working. Key workers are defined as:
- Frontline health and social care staff – doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector
- Nursery, teaching staff and social workers
- Public services – those who run the justice system, religious staff, those managing the deceased and journalists providing public service broadcasting
- Local and national government
- Those involved in producing, processing, distributing and the sale and delivery of food
- Public safety and national security – Police, support staff, MOD civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, border security, prison and probation staff
- Transport – those who keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating
- Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running
- Postal services
- Essential financial services
NEW INFORMAIOTN:
Isolation notes will provide employees with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.
For the first seven days off work, employees can self-certify so they don’t need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where this is related to having symptoms of coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self-isolate.
The government says the notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online. It does not yet seem to be live, but presumably will be going live later today.
According to Matt Hancock, the Health & Social Care Secretary, if an employee does not have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer. The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else.
PSHR are now operating from home, but we are very much business as usual. Contact us via the usual number: 01473 653000 or your Consultant’s mobile and email address.
Take care!
Team PSHR
emma@pshumanresources.co.uk – 07725 360372
paula@pshumanresources.co.uk = 07787 514971
charlotte@pshumanresources.co.uk – 07973 567134
carla@pshumanresources.co.uk – 01473 653000 and main switchboard
